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Alternative Narratives On Germany & Homeschooling

“In a recent post, Ryan made the case that homeschooling is not a human right and, as a result, state regulation of homeschooling (or even outright prohibition, as in Germany), does not amount to a violation of human rights. As much as I have been appreciating his examination of homeschooling culture, in this instance I disagree with his analysis.”

“One of the things I get asked quite frequently is ‘What do those living in Germany think about parents who want to teach their children at home?’ Also, ‘Is there as much hype in Germany about these cases like what we’re hearing in the US?’ which is quickly followed by, ‘Is it just not in your news?’ I’d like to try to share some of what I have seen and heard in response to those questions.”

“‘The family is the natural and fundamental group unit of society and is entitled to protection by society and the State.’ That’s article 16(3) of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights… That statement transcends legal controversy or political debate: it states a principle that is widely shared… It is an affirmation of how people generally feel about the dignity and centrality of home and family.”

“I usually stammer a bit and try to explain that things are just so different here with German culture vs. American or Canadian culture. With the healthcare system that we have, women who are prenatal and postnatal are well cared for and children are seen as an investment and something that the entire ‘village’ should protect. It all starts when you get your first positive pregnancy test.”

“I am not a fan of Germany’s almost-ban on homeschooling. As an American and a former homeschooler, it rubs me the wrong way. But. But Germany’s almost-ban on homeschooling is not a violation of the fundamental, human right to homeschool. Because there is no such human right. It does not exist.”

“I would like to talk about the legalities of homeschooling. I would like to present the pro and contra views to the best of my abilities, as impartially as possible. I will play devil’s advocate for both sides, including putting views out there that even I do not believe, for the sake of arguing everything I’ve heard so far.”

“All the news articles I’ve read in English (from Fox, The Blaze, World Net Daily, CBN, World Mag and others) so far show very clearly that the authors know next to nothing about Germany, German law, German society at large, or the German educational system and its history. Instead, they’re happy to perpetuate myths and simply assume the police is this evil entity, because surely the HSLDA would not lie.”

“Refugee status is a high standard that all applicants must prove. For asylum to be granted, the treatment must be really bad — something nonsensical, silly, or even inconvenient or illegal is not sufficient. That’s the law as Congress wrote it, and no matter how much we may want it otherwise, the court can not and should not change it.”

“Over the last few weeks I’ve watch as, in a game of online telephone, this story has evolved from HSLDA’s Mike Farris’ musings, to the question of whether domestic homeschooling rises or falls with this case to, finally, ‘Holder vs. home schooling.’ Unfortunately, in the hysteria, the actual issue at stake seems to have been lost.”

“On the Internet, the faith community expresses their educational practices… There it is clearly stated: ‘Yes, we beat our children.’ He continued: ‘We love our children and they are precious and wonderful to us. Because we love them, we beat their butts.'”